Elgin City 1-3 Gretna

Last updated : 06 December 2004 By Oliver Gaywood

Gretna did what many teams have threatened to do to Elgin as they scored in the opening minutes. Gavin Skelton's corner found David Bingham in the box who headed in easily. Gretna could have scored another inside the first five minutes, but Ryan McGuffie his his shot straight at Keiron Renton when the 'keeper was out of position. At this point, Gretna looked well in control and capable of making the scoreline very embarrassing for Elgin.

Things then went from bad to worse for City. Five minutes after the opening goal, Andy Roddie had to be stretchered off - the first of three City players who had to come off with injuries in the game - after a dangerous challenge from Mark Birch, who somehow avoided a caution.

Roddie's replacement, Paul Napier, had an immediate impact on the game when he forced David Mathieson into his first save of the afternoon. Striking duo Phil Reid and Pat Vigurs combined to put Napier one-on-one with the 'keeper, but his shot was too close to Mathieson's body.

Gretna doubled their league with half an hour gone. Bryan Gilfillan's through ball set up Kenny Deuchar who scored into Renton's bottom left hand corner.

Elgin desperately tried to get back into the game before half time with a barrage of chances. Hugh Dickson sent two long range efforts wide before having a header tipped over the bar, Willie Martin had a powerful free-kick saved and Pat Vigurs was unlucky to be called for offside when he looked to be clean through.

As it happened, Gretna got the next goal ten minutes after the restart when Jamie McQuilken's long throw found Deuchar in the box. Deuchar controlled the ball, turned and shot underneath Renton for his nineteenth league goal of the season.

Despite being three-nil down, Elgin didn't lose hope. Martin shot just over and Pat Vigurs blasted straight at Mathieson before Dickson found the net. Dickson got on the end of Iain Vigurs' inswinging corner and acrobatically volleyed home.

However, this was no more than a consolation goal as Gretna regained control of the game in the last ten minutes to squash any ideas of a dramatic comeback. Deuchar had the chance to complete is hat-trick in the dying minutes but he overhit his shot and sent it over the bar.

City: Keiron Renton, Stuart Cumming, Martin Harty (Iain Vigurs, 62), Paul Kaczan, Craig Higgins, Hugh Dickson, Phil Reid (Garry Wood, 79), Adam Nelson, Pat Vigurs, Willie Martin, Andy Roddie (Paul Napier, 8).
Subs not used: John Allison, Martin Pirie.

Goals: David Bingham (2), Kenny Deuchar (33, 54), Hugh Dickson (78).
Ref: Alan Muir